Outside View: Drug War Double Standards

DdC · 05-20-2003, 11:48 PM

Washington -- Allegations in Rolling Stone magazine that Jenna and Barbara Bush enjoy an occasional toke should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the proclivities of 21-year-olds, especially those as notoriously predisposed to partying as the "first twins."

But while allegations of the first twins' pot smoking is hardly surprising, its implication with regard to political policy should not go unnoticed.

Whether the allegations are confirmed, the extraordinary fact remains that their father's administration has now overseen the arrest of more than 640,000 Americans for engaging in such "youthful indiscretions" -- even going so far as to prosecute medicinal marijuana patients and their providers in states where the use of physician-approved pot is legal.

Unfortunately, drug-warring politicians have a long history of adhering to the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy, particularly when it comes to their children.

Take California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. He co-sponsored legislation mandating the death penalty for "drug kingpins," but pleaded for mercy when his son Todd was convicted for smuggling 400 pounds of pot. The seven-term Republican, known for his career-long vitriol against "soft on crime" judges, found himself begging a federal judge to waive his son's five-year mandatory sentence. Fortunately for the San Diego Republican, the judge was "soft" enough to give Todd 30 months in prison -- half the federal "mandatory" minimum.

Similar treatment was given to Dan Burton II, son of the 11-time Indiana congressman. He was arrested several times for marijuana and firearms felonies in the mid-1990s but never received more than community service and probation. Prosecutors jumped through hoops to keep Burton's kid out of jail, including underestimating the total weight of the 30 plants he was caught with as only 25 grams, thus reducing his charge to a misdemeanor.

His son's brushes with the law apparently meant little to the elder Burton, who following his son's arrest voted against legislation to expand drug treatment as an alternative to prison for qualified drug offenders.

And of course there are the escapades of Noelle Bush -- niece of President George W. Bush and daughter of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- whose run-ins with the law made national headlines last year. First, the 25-year-old got popped attempting to purchase tranquilizers with a forged prescription. That charge alone could have netted her five years in prison, but authorities sentenced her to drug rehab instead -- a move her father lauded, despite previously opposing a ballot initiative mandating treatment instead of jail for other people's daughters facing similar non-violent drug charges.

But Noelle's special treatment didn't end there. While in rehab, she was caught again with unauthorized prescription drugs -- another felony, or in her case, a minor transgression punishable by three days in jail.

After returning to rehab, she was busted a third time; this time allegedly with crack cocaine. However, her father's lawyers filed a successful motion with the courts forbidding the police from gathering evidence or statements from the rehab facility's staff about the incident. Noelle ultimately served a total of 13 days in jail for her bevy of drug charges, while her father denounced allegations that she received preferential treatment.

It is possible that Jeb Bush believed he was telling the truth. After all, if the sons and daughters of the political elite never face the brunt of their parents' Drug War, maybe the president, the Florida governor and their politico brethren assume nobody else's children do either.

Which brings us back to Jenna and Barbara Bush and their alleged pot smoking.

Chances are the White House will refer to the alleged incident as a private matter. But with an astonishing 250,000 Americans now behind bars for drug offenses, it is painfully obvious that the matter has become quite public -- that is, for other people's children. Until this reality changes, expect the children of the political elite to keep on smoking, and expect the Washington to keep dropping the hammer -- on someone else's kids, of course.

* Paul Armentano is a senior policy analyst for the NORML Foundation, a group that supports the liberalization of America's marijuana laws, in Washington.

* A UPI Outside View Commentary: Outside view commentaries are written for UPI by outside writers who specialize in a variety of important global issues.

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16344.shtml" target="_blank">Outs ide View: Drug War Double Standards</a>
Source: United Press International
Author: Paul Armentano
Published: May 20, 2003
Website: <a href="http://www.upi.com" target="_blank">http ://www.upi.com</a>

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patriot · 05-21-2003, 07:31 AM

If anyone wants to see how most people are treated by prohibitionist laws, go to <a href="http://www.november.org" target="_blank">www. november.org</a>

These stupid politicians we have don't even think about the laws themselves that need to be changed. They only try and figure out ways to get their own out of "trouble."

What a bunch of assholes we have for politicians.

jamf · 05-21-2003, 10:42 PM

Thats just the way its always been and always be.

The mayor of my town is a notorious drunk. Several months ago he caused an accident after he had been previously drinkin.

Cop shows up and doesnt even bother to give him any kind of sobriety test. To ice the cake the cop gives the mayor a ride home from the accident.

Politicians are above the laws they create.

05-20-2003, 11:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
DdC Decade Yahookan Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Santa Cruz,CA,USA Posts: 2,117 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 51 Thanked 607 Times in 399 Posts	Outside View: Drug War Double Standards Washington -- Allegations in Rolling Stone magazine that Jenna and Barbara Bush enjoy an occasional toke should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the proclivities of 21-year-olds, especially those as notoriously predisposed to partying as the "first twins." But while allegations of the first twins' pot smoking is hardly surprising, its implication with regard to political policy should not go unnoticed. Whether the allegations are confirmed, the extraordinary fact remains that their father's administration has now overseen the arrest of more than 640,000 Americans for engaging in such "youthful indiscretions" -- even going so far as to prosecute medicinal marijuana patients and their providers in states where the use of physician-approved pot is legal. Unfortunately, drug-warring politicians have a long history of adhering to the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy, particularly when it comes to their children. Take California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. He co-sponsored legislation mandating the death penalty for "drug kingpins," but pleaded for mercy when his son Todd was convicted for smuggling 400 pounds of pot. The seven-term Republican, known for his career-long vitriol against "soft on crime" judges, found himself begging a federal judge to waive his son's five-year mandatory sentence. Fortunately for the San Diego Republican, the judge was "soft" enough to give Todd 30 months in prison -- half the federal "mandatory" minimum. Similar treatment was given to Dan Burton II, son of the 11-time Indiana congressman. He was arrested several times for marijuana and firearms felonies in the mid-1990s but never received more than community service and probation. Prosecutors jumped through hoops to keep Burton's kid out of jail, including underestimating the total weight of the 30 plants he was caught with as only 25 grams, thus reducing his charge to a misdemeanor. His son's brushes with the law apparently meant little to the elder Burton, who following his son's arrest voted against legislation to expand drug treatment as an alternative to prison for qualified drug offenders. And of course there are the escapades of Noelle Bush -- niece of President George W. Bush and daughter of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- whose run-ins with the law made national headlines last year. First, the 25-year-old got popped attempting to purchase tranquilizers with a forged prescription. That charge alone could have netted her five years in prison, but authorities sentenced her to drug rehab instead -- a move her father lauded, despite previously opposing a ballot initiative mandating treatment instead of jail for other people's daughters facing similar non-violent drug charges. But Noelle's special treatment didn't end there. While in rehab, she was caught again with unauthorized prescription drugs -- another felony, or in her case, a minor transgression punishable by three days in jail. After returning to rehab, she was busted a third time; this time allegedly with crack cocaine. However, her father's lawyers filed a successful motion with the courts forbidding the police from gathering evidence or statements from the rehab facility's staff about the incident. Noelle ultimately served a total of 13 days in jail for her bevy of drug charges, while her father denounced allegations that she received preferential treatment. It is possible that Jeb Bush believed he was telling the truth. After all, if the sons and daughters of the political elite never face the brunt of their parents' Drug War, maybe the president, the Florida governor and their politico brethren assume nobody else's children do either. Which brings us back to Jenna and Barbara Bush and their alleged pot smoking. Chances are the White House will refer to the alleged incident as a private matter. But with an astonishing 250,000 Americans now behind bars for drug offenses, it is painfully obvious that the matter has become quite public -- that is, for other people's children. Until this reality changes, expect the children of the political elite to keep on smoking, and expect the Washington to keep dropping the hammer -- on someone else's kids, of course. * Paul Armentano is a senior policy analyst for the NORML Foundation, a group that supports the liberalization of America's marijuana laws, in Washington. * A UPI Outside View Commentary: Outside view commentaries are written for UPI by outside writers who specialize in a variety of important global issues. <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16344.shtml" target="_blank">Outs ide View: Drug War Double Standards</a> Source: United Press International Author: Paul Armentano Published: May 20, 2003 Website: <a href="http://www.upi.com" target="_blank">http ://www.upi.com</a> Related Articles & Web Sites U.S. law enforcement spends $7.5 to $10 billion annually enforcing marijuana laws. According to the FBI, 720,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges in 2001. Keith Stroup, <a href="http://www.norml.org" target="_blank">(NOR ML)</a> <a href="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n513/a09.html" target="_blank">If Jenna Bush Is A Pothead, Is It News?</a> <a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16215.shtml" target="_blank">A Tokin' Appearance By Bush Twins?</a> <a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14531.shtml" target="_blank">Fair Deal for Noelle Bush</a> <a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9969.shtml" target="_blank">Bush 's Double Standard</a> <a href="http://www.thefirsttwins.co m" target="_blank">The First Twins</a> Boogie Woogie Bushes <a href="http://www.thefirsttwins.co m/images/boogiewoogie.gif" target="_blank">http ://www.thefirsttwins.co m/images/boogiewoogie.gif</a> <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16340.shtml" target="_blank">The U.S. is Addicted To War on Drugs</a> <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16336.shtml" target="_blank">Don' t Bully Canada, U.S. Told</a> <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16331.shtml" target="_blank">Pot Decriminalization Fears 'Overblown': Expert Says</a> <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16318.shtml" target="_blank">Stud y Finds No Sign That Testing Deters Drug Use</a> <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/jun01/pot27062601a.asp" target="_blank">Pot Grower, 75, Given Year in Jail</a> <a href="http://www.mapinc.org/find?200" target="_blank">Rain bow Farm Massacre</a> <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16329.shtml" target="_blank">Big Brother Is Tracking You Without a Warrant</a> <a href="http://archives.seattletime s.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=oregone d16&date=20030516&qu ery=ASHCROFT" target="_blank">ASHC ROFT SHOULD LEAVE MEDICINE TO DOCTORS</a> Nowhere on Attorney General John Ashcroft's official bio does it say he has a medical degree or license to practice medicine. <a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16222.shtml" target="_blank">Stea mroller Ashcroft</a> <a href="http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohi bitionwhyitstimetole galize.showMessage?t opicID=346.topic" target="_blank">Abou t Ashcroft</a> Ashcroft and Jesus Ashcroft censored FIA Ashcroft pressed on special prosecutor for Enron probe Ashcroft seeks sweeping powers Ashcroft's Nephew Got Probation Ashcroft's Other War Ashcroft's Short-term Memory Loss Ashcroft wants to kill your cat All You Really Need To Know About John Ashcroft Mr. Ashcroft, let's not repeat past mistakes Ashcroft, Our Big Brother/quotes Senate Majority Votes for Ashcroft <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/news/912041.asp" target="_blank">Feds busted. Big story</a> May 19 issue — The financial incentives for low-level drug busts are about to be busted on Capitol Hill. James Sensenbrenner, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has agreed to hold hearings on the workings of a Justice Department fund that funnels money to local drug task forces around the country. <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/foodfuelfiberfarmace uticals/message/123" target="_blank">Bill Bendit's Virtues</a> <a href="http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4353.gif" target="_blank">http ://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4353.gif</A> <a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/drug_testing.shtml" target="_blank">Piss tasters</a> <a href="http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4356.gif" target="_blank">http ://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4356.gif</A> O'Really? <a href="http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4363.gif" target="_blank">http ://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4363.gif</A> <a href="http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/msg7x4364.shtml" target="_blank">Texa ss Tom "Coup" DeLay</a> <a href="http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4364.gif" target="_blank">http ://boards.marihemp.com/boards/culture/media/4/4364.gif</A> __________________ Al Capone and Watergate were red herrings to divert the countries attention from the Fascist acts of eliminating competition. Booze/Ethanol then Ganja//Hemp.

05-21-2003, 07:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
patriot Liar,Cheat,and Fraud Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: United States of Saudi Arabiaa Posts: 1,679 Thanks: 34 Thanked 154 Times in 103 Posts	If anyone wants to see how most people are treated by prohibitionist laws, go to <a href="http://www.november.org" target="_blank">www. november.org</a> These stupid politicians we have don't even think about the laws themselves that need to be changed. They only try and figure out ways to get their own out of "trouble." What a bunch of assholes we have for politicians. __________________ A true patriot is always ready to stand up against his own government. We can't be using plants that come from the Lord for beneficial purposes. Now hurry up, or we'll be late for church. The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it.-Adolf Hitler Legalizing marijuana won't grow our economy-Barack Hussein Obama 2009

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05-21-2003, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
jamf Decade Yahookan Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,821 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats just the way its always been and always be. The mayor of my town is a notorious drunk. Several months ago he caused an accident after he had been previously drinkin. Cop shows up and doesnt even bother to give him any kind of sobriety test. To ice the cake the cop gives the mayor a ride home from the accident. Politicians are above the laws they create.

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